Alize van der Merwe (39), and another victim were reportedly released by their kidnappers on Thursday, September 26, after being held hostage for eight days.
According to the Hawks spokesperson, Warrant Officer Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana, the two victims were released by the kidnappers due to the pressure exerted upon the suspects by the police.
He said it is alleged that Van der Merwe was accosted by unidentified suspects while she was driving a Toyota Fortuner traveling to Umngazi Resort, Port St John’s, on September 20, while in another incident, a 34-year-old victim was also accosted by unidentified suspects on September 17 between Barkley East and Elliot.
Both victims were kidnapped during these encounters.
Mhlakuvana said that following an intensive investigation, the victims were allegedly dropped off by a white Toyota single cab bakkie near Sulenkama Police Station.
“Both victims were released unharmed but traumatised and were taken to a health facility for medical assistance. The investigations are still underway,” said Mhlakuvana.
As previously reported, this is one of the many police crackdowns on kidnapping activities in the Eastern Cape.
Recently, four suspects involved in an alleged kidnapping syndicate were fatally shot, and one was injured during a shoot-out with police in Marikana Location outside Qoboqobo in the early hours of September 25.
According to a statement by the Eastern Cape provincial government, there was a discovery of bloodstains at the scene, suggesting that the house the suspects were in was used as a torture chamber.
In the early hours of September 25, a shoot-out occurred between police and suspects involved in an alleged kidnapping syndicate in Marikana Location outside Qoboqobo.
Four suspects, aged between 29 and 40, were fatally shot, and one was injured.
Commenting on the incident, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa reported that the Tactical Response Team from Mdantsane and East London acted on information about suspects with unlicensed firearms.
“As members were entering the premises, the suspects tried to flee using back exits, but they were cornered, and they started shooting at the police and members retaliated,” said Mawisa.
She further stated that the one suspect who was wounded in the shootout was taken to the nearest hospital.
Mawisa said that the deceased suspects are known, but their identities are being withheld.
Furthermore, Mawisa said the fifth suspect, aged 38, is currently under police guard, and police members escaped unscathed.
